That means that, for the first time in recent memory, Man Utd may be about to lose out on a crucial target, and that leaves Ed Woodward with a conundrum. If he’s looking to improve the midfield, and Ndombele isn’t an option – who should he target?

Well, fortunately, Europe is home to some brilliant central midfielders, some of whom could be an excellent alternative.

With that said, here are TWO players that Man Utd should consider if they fail to land Ndombele…

Giovani Lo Celso

Tanguy Ndombele is a young player that is relatively unproven, and so given Man Utd’s interest, maybe that’s what they’re going for. In that case, Giovani Lo Celso could be a fantastic choice.

He’s not as well known across Europe as Ndombele, but that doesn’t mean he’s any less talented. Indeed, to the contrary, statistically, he matches up to or, in some cases, goes beyond his French rival.

Stats only tell part of a story, of course, but it’s clear that the two players are very similar, and at just 22-years-old, Lo Celso is young enough to improve further.

Adrien Rabiot

If Man Utd want a somewhat more proven option, maybe Adrien Rabiot is their man. Granted, the Frenchman hasn’t played in the Premier League before, but he had been a regular member of the PSG first team prior to his recent contractual issues, whilst he’s also spent time playing in the Champions League.

Few players at 23-years-old can boast 150 league appearances for one of Europe’s best teams, and so Rabiot certainly has the talent.

He’s a fantastic passer of the ball, as highlighted by his 93.1% passing accuracy this season, whilst his frame makes him a decent physical threat, particularly in the air. He’s aggressive and robust, which is important in the Premier League, but he’s got all the technical traits of the modern creative midfielder too.

A risky move, but a potentially shrewd one.

Losing the race: Man Utd must look elsewhere in pursuit of their next midfield lynchpin